Illuminated advertising device



C. W. COURT & A. V. GOLDBERG.

ILLUMINATED ADVERTISING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED uov.25. 1914.

1,195,659. Patented Aug. 22,1916.

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Wfbbneaes: fnvenons A ys C. W. COURT & A. V. GOLDBERG.

ILLUMINATED ADVERTISING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-25, I914.

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CLARENCE W. COURT AND ARTHUR V. GOLDBERG, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ILLUMIN ATED ADVERTISING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

Application filed November 25 1914. Serial No. 873,958.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CLARENCE W. COURT and ARTHUR V. GOLDBERG, both citizens of the United States, and residents of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Illuminated Advertising Devices, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to an improved illuminated advertising device, particularly to that class in which a rotor comprising vanes is associated with an illuminating member to be caused to rotate by impingement against its vanes of ascending air currents caused by the heat of the illuminating member.

The general object of the invention is to produce a more attractive and more efiicient device.

More in detail, among the important objects of the invention are to produce an improved rotor comprising vanes which extend substantially the full vertical length of to afford a large vane area; to provide a rotor which can be formed integral of transparent sheet material and which can be readily bent and secured to form a light structure which on account of its large vane area will quickly and powerfully respond to the air currents; to construct such rotor structure of elastic material in order that the structure may be collapsed or changed in shape to a small size whereby it may be more readily packed and shipped and which will adapt the structure for more efficient use in connection with globes used with illuminating members in that the rotor, which when expanded is larger than the opening or openings in the globe, may be contracted to readily be withdrawn from the globe through one of the openings without removing the globe from its support; to provide improved pivot .ar-

rangement for suspending the rotor to rotate about its vertical axis; and to provide a rotor of material which can be variously colored or decorated to give very attractive through the open frame effects when used alone with the illuminating member or when a globe is associated therewith.

Our invention will be fully understood from the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a device embodying our invention; Fig. 2 is a similar View but with the globe shown in vertical diametral section; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view showing the cut blank from which the rotor is formed; Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the top of the device showing the rotor in contracted or collapsed condition and illustrating its removal from the globe; Fig. 5 shows the top of an illuminating member and the upper part of the rotor in section together with the bearing mechanism, and Figs. 6 and 7 show modified bearing arrangements.

The device shown comprises a suitable supporting base 10 on which is mounted an ordinary socket 11 for receiving an electric light bulb 12, the socket being connected by a cord 13 with a plug 14. Secured on the socket is an ordinary supporting frame 15 for the globe 16.

R represents the rotor which surrounds the bulb to be rotated by ascending air currents through the globe caused by the heat of the illuminated bulb, the air entering 15 and the lower opening a in the globe and leaving through the upper opening 6 in the globe.

The construction of the rotor is plainly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. It is preferably constructed integral from transparent sheet material such as celluloid or pyralin. Referring to Fig. 3, the sheet material is cut to leave a central section 17 and vane members 18. radiating therefrom in spiral direction. After the cutting operation the vanes are curved downwardly and diagonally and their ends a are overlapped a distance and are cemented or otherwise secured together, as shown in Fig. 2. The pyralin, celluloid, or other material used is flexible or elastic and by deflecting and securing the vanes as described, the spherical rotor R results, the overlapping secured together lower ends forming an entrance ring 03 which will readily pass over the illuminating element which is practically entirely inclosed by the rotor, the vanes of the rotor extending diagonally across the lamp with their inner surfaces 6 in the path of the ascending air currents. Any suitable pivot arrangement may be provided for suspending the rotor. As shown in Fig. 6, the rotor could be pivoted directly on the tip f of the lamp. However, the tips on lamps are not always of just the right shape for efficient operation of the rotor and we therefore preferably provide a bearing member 18 which can be detachably applied to the lamp. The member shown is in the form of a thimble g having the seating flange h, the thimble receiving the lamp tip and the flange resting on the lamp adjacent the tip, the tip then serving to hold the bearing member against displacement. The top of the thimble is concave to form a bearing depression 5 for receiving the pointed end of a pin 19 secured to the top central section 17 of the rotor. As shown in Fig. 5, the pin extends through this section and is held in place by upper and lower washers 20 and 21. Preferably the central portion 22 of the section 17 is deflected or convexed outwardly. This will strengthen and stiffen the top of the rotor and also permit the rotor body to hang down farther below the pivot bearing.

Instead of having the pivot point on the rotor and the bearing cup on the lamp thetop of thimble 18 could be provided with a pivot point 23 and the rotor provided with a bearing cup 24 as shown in Fig. 7. By using a bearing thimble the rotor can be pivoted accurately on any bulb, the tip of the bulb holding the thimble securely in position.

In Fig. 2 the rotor is shown suspended in operative position, it practically entirely inclosing the bulb. and on account of the extensive vane surface the rotor will be rapidly and powerfully rotated by the ascending air currents caused by the burning bulb. The entire rotor or desired parts thereof may be colored or decorated or have characters or legendsapplied thereto. The globe can also be of different material; it may be transparent or translucent or opalescent, and may have advertising or other legends or designs thereon. \Vhen the lamp is lighted the colors or designs on the rotor will be visible through the globe and will serve to attract attention to the advertising matter on the globe. The vanes of the rotor extending diagonally, broad diagonal bands of color will appear on the globe and will have the appearance of traveling diagonally across the globe as indicated by arrows in Figs. 1 and 2. The effect is very attractive and the advertising qualities of the lamp are therefore greatly enhanced, particularly where the vanes are variously colored.

The device can of course be operated without the globe, but the globe is desirable as it prevents disturbance of the ascending air currents through the rotor and offers a background for advertising matter.

Another important feature of our improved rotor is its contractibility or collapsibility. The rotor being of flexibl elastic material it can readily be twisted from its fully expanded spherical shape into compact cylindrical shape. This will enable the rotor to be more readily and safely packed and shipped.

Another advantage is that the rotor can be more readily inserted intothe globe or withdrawn therefrom without need of removing the globe from its supporting frame. In Fig. 4 the rotor is shown partly with drawn from the upper opening 6. T0 withdraw the rotor all that is necessary is to grasp the head of the pivot pin 19 and to pull upwardly, the vanes then striking against the edge of the opening I) and being thereby contracted into shape shown in Fig. 4. When it is desired-to insert a rotor into the globe, it is curled up in the hand into its compact shape and then it can be readily inserted through the top opening of the globe. When entirely inside the globe its elasticity will cause the rotor to expand and it can be readily seated on its bearing. If the globe is removed from the lamp it will of course carry the expanded rotor with it but the rotor can be removed through the lower opening a, by being first contracted.

When applying the rotor and globe the rotor can be first inserted into the globe or it can be applied to the lamp and the globe then slipped thereover. The elastic and collapsible nature of the rotors will greatly facilitate quick interchanging thereof.

The rotor need not necessarily be spherical as shown but may be of spheroidal or oval shape, or cylindrical, or it may be polygonal. Likewise the globe could be of similar shapes.

We thus produce a very attractive and desirable illuminated advertising device. We do not of course desire to be limited to just the constructions and arrangements herein shown and described as modifications may be possible which would still'come within the scope of the invention.

e claim as follows:

1. In a device of'the class described, the combination with an electric light bulb secured in vertical position and having the usual tip, a bearing member detachably seating on top of the lamp and held in position for receiving the tip, a rotor comprising a central portion and rotation producing vanes extending downwardly therefrom and diagonally across the bulb, said central portion having bearing engagement with said bearing member to adapt the rotor for rotation about its vertical axis.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of an electric light bulb disposed vertically with its' tip extending upwardly, a detachable tliimble on ing rotation producing vanes extending diagonally from the top to the bottom thereof, an element within the rotor adapted to produce upward air currents for impinging against the vanes full length thereof, and means for pivoting the rotor for rotation about a vertical axis. I

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a hollow spherical rotor composed of rotation producing vanes extending diagonally from top to bottom thereof, said vanes being transparent, a lighting member within the rotor adapted to cause upward air currents for impinging against the vanes, and a pivotal support for the rotor.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a spherical rotor formed of a single piece of transparent material and comprising rotation producing vanes extending from the top to the bottom thereof, means for suspending said rotor for rotation about its vertical axis, and a lighting element within said rotor for producing upward air currents for impinging against the vanes substantially the-full length thereof, to effect rotation of the rotor.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a spherical rotor comprising a top pivot section and rotation producing I vanes extending diagonally downwardly therefrom and secured together at their lower ends, a lighting element within the rotor for generating upward air currents for impinging against the vanes, and a pivot support engaged by said pivot section;

8. In a device of the class described, the

the tip having a bearlng depression, a rotor surdownwardly therefrom,

combination of a spherical rotorcomprising a top pivot section and rotation producing vanes extending diagonally downwardly therefrom and secured together at their lower ends, a lighting element within the rotor for generating upward air currents for impinging against the vanes, and a bearing connection between said lighting element-and said rotor pivot section for adapting said rotor for rotation about its vertical axis.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a hollow rotor comprising a top section and rotation producing vanes extending diagonally therefrom and secured together at their lower ends, a lighting element within said rotor for generating upward air current for impinging against said vanes, a pivot pin secured to said top section, and a bearingsupport for said pin.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination of a hollow rotor having curved vanes extending diagonally from top to bottom thereof, said vanes being transparent, a lighting element within said rotor for generating upward air currents for impinging against said vanes, and a bearing connection between the top of said rotor and said lighting element for adapting said rotor for rotation about its vertical axis.

11. In a device of the class described, the

section and vanes extending diagonally rent producingelement within said rotor, the center portion of the top section of said rotor being convexed to stifien and strengthen the rotor, and a pivot connection between said curved section and said current producing element for adapting said rotor for rotation about its vertical axis.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a lighting element, a spherical rotor surrounding said lighting element and comprising rotation producing vanes extending diagonally from top to bottom of the rotor, said vanes allowing passage of light therethrough, means for pivoting said rotor for rotation around its vertical axis, and a globe surrounding said rotor through which the light may pass, said lighting element causing ascending air currents through the globe for impinging against the diagonal vanes to thereby effect rotation of the rotor about its axis.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination of an illuminating member, a globe surrounding said member, a rotor pivoted within said globe and surrounding said illuminating member and having vanes in the path of upwardly ascending currents caused through said globe by said illuminating member, said globe having an opening, said rotor being normally larger than combinationof a rotor comprising a top an upward air cursaid opening but'being flexible and adapted to be distorted to be Withdrawn from the globe through said opening.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of an illuminating member, a globe surrounding said member, a rotor having vanes extending diagonally from top to bottom thereof and surrounding said illuminating member, means pivoting said rotor for rotation about its axis, said globe having an opening, said rotor being normally of a shape which will prevent its passage through said opening but being composed of flexible elastic material whereby it may be distorted into a shape Which Will enable its 15 Withdrawal from the globe through said opening.

In witness whereof We hereunto subscribe our names this 20th day of November, A. D. 1914. Y

CLARENCE W. COURT. ARTHUR v. GOLDBERG.

Witnesses:

P. A. WILsON, C. J. SCHMIDT. 

